Spurs at Timberwolves
After a few bumps in the road early on, San Antonio is beginning to look like the defending NBA champions again. The Spurs, winners of five of their last six games following a 2-3 start, look to keep their surge going Friday at shorthanded Minnesota in the finale of a two-game road trip. The first half of the quick trip saw Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw lead a balanced attack with 19 points apiece in a solid 92-90 win at Cleveland.
As always, Duncan has been a steadying force for San Antonio, recording double-doubles in six of the team's seven victories, the one exception being the 25-point rout of Philadelphia on Monday that afforded head coach Gregg Popovich the opportunity to rest his starters down the stretch. Those little breaks will help keep the Spurs fresh, especially compared to a Timberwolves group that is without three starters. Kevin Martin put Minnesota on his shoulders with a season-high 37 points in a 115-99 win over New York on Wednesday, snapping the Timerwolves' five-game slide.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE SPURS (7-4): San Antonio limited a talented Cleveland crew to just 43 second-half points and forced 18 turnovers overall in Wednesday's win, helping to cement the Spurs at or near the top of many defensive categories. The Spurs, who have held four of their last six opponents to 90 points or fewer, entered Thursday leading the league in scoring defense (91.6) and opponents' 3-point shooting (27.5) percent. Swingman Kawhi Leonard has seven steals in his last two games and is one of nine NBA players averaging at least two a game.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (3-7): With point guard Ricky Rubio (ankle) out until December, center Nikola Pekovic (wrist) sidelined at least two more games and forward Thaddeus Young (personal) out until Sunday, Minnesota leaned heavily on Martin on Wednesday. The streaky scorer delivered with his second straight 30-plus scoring effort, making 7-of-11 3-pointers in the process. Martin's uptick in production coincides with an increase in playing time for point guard Mo Williams, who finished with 14 points and 13 assists in his first start of the season Wednesday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. While the Spurs limit opponents from beyond the arc better than anyone in the league, Minnesota allows foes to shoot 43 percent from long distance, 29th in the NBA.
2. Timberwolves swingman Corey Brewer had six steals against the Knicks and is tied for fifth overall with 2.1 per game.
3. Spurs G Marco Belinelli (groin) has missed eight consecutive games.